After missing an earlier summons by the National Assembly’s Energy Committee, Cabinet Secretary for Petroleum and Energy Opiyo Wandayi has now addressed lawmakers, indicating what to expect ahead of the upcoming fuel price review as the country awaits the official announcement tomorrow.
In a session on April 13, the CS old Parliament stated that the cost of a recent fuel consignment will not be factored into the next pricing review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
He stated that the government cannot pre-empt the regulator’s decision, but assured that measures have been taken to cushion consumers from possible price increases.
“We cannot pre-empt what EPRA will announce tomorrow. Take it from me, the cost of this consignment will not be factored. We ask Kenyans to be patient and wait for tomorrow to see measures the government has taken to cushion them,” Wandayi stated.
Wandayi Denies Fuel Shortage and Explains Controversial Fuel Procurement Process
The Energy Cabinet Secretary stated that there is no fuel shortage in the country, attributing any perceived supply gaps to actions by oil market players.
He explained that the procurement of a recent fuel consignment was recommended by a technical committee and approved by Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban.
Wandayi noted that concerns later emerged, indicating the consignment was outside the Government-to-Government framework, prompting him to brief the President.
Also Read: Competition Authority of Kenya Issues Warning on Fuel Hoarding and Price Manipulation
Following the briefing, he said a second vessel linked to the consignment was halted on the President’s advice.
The CS added that such deviations from established procurement frameworks should require higher-level approval, stating that his office was not consulted and would have escalated the matter if it had been.
“Procurement of the consignment was recommended by a technical committee. The PS (Mohamed Liban) approved it in his wisdom. On the 30th of March, it emerged that this consignment came out of G2G & I moved swiftly & briefed the president. His Excellency advised me to stop the second vessel, which was coming in,” Wandayi explained.
Resignations as EPRA Flags Fuel Hoarding Concerns
Further, Wandayi stated that he cannot explain recent resignations, noting that investigations are ongoing and there is no evidence of coercion.
Also Read: How EPRA Calculates Retail Fuel Prices
“I cannot say why they resigned. What I know is that investigations are going on,” he stated.
He added that there is no justification to prevent him from continuing to carry out his duties as Cabinet Secretary for Energy.
Meanwhile, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority has indicated it has taken steps to ensure adequate fuel supply in the country.
The regulator revealed that it received intelligence suggesting some market players were hoarding fuel in anticipation of price increases, leading to the issuance of 25 show-cause letters.
